“I know.”
“You’re gonna have to pray that she doesn’t just get upset and blame you and dig her heels in.”
“True.”
“You’re gonna have to pray that this doesn’t close her eyes to what’s really going on.”
“I am.”
Ben rapped the wooden door with his knuckles. “It’s a good thing that God is still in control, huh?”
“Absolutely.” He glanced up. “Anything else, Captain Obvious?”
Ben grinned. “Oh, and there it is. Hello, Mr. Snark. It’s been a while but nice to see you again.”
Jordan chucked his cleaning sponge at him, and it bounced off Ben’s chest.
“Hey!”
Jordan chuckled, but it felt forced. Humour felt a million miles away. His grin quickly faded.
“Dude.”
The sympathy in Ben’s voice crowded Jordan’s throat. Man. Any second now and he might bust out crying, and that was no good. He coughed instead, waving a hand. “I’m not coping with these fumes.”
“You’re not coping with something, that’s for sure.”
“You’re a real pillar of support, aren’t you?”
Ben shrugged. “I try.”
Jordan angled away so Ben couldn’t see him. “So, how about you? Any lady friends on the horizon?”
Ben sighed. “I know you’re trying to change the subject, and it’s not gonna work.”
“That’s a shame.”
Ben chuckled. “Look, you and EJ are friends. And there are good times and not so good times in all friendships. So justbecause now is a down doesn’t mean it will always stay that way.”
“We’ve just never been at this place before.”
“Where she’s being romanced by a different man and you’re jealous?”
“Whoa! I’m not jealous. I’m concerned.”
“Sure you are.”
“I am! I don’t trust this Eric dude. I think there’s something really dodgy about him.” Like the fact he and Gwen seemed too close, exchanging looks and whispers when EJ wasn’t looking.
“Like the fact he’s really rich?” Ben goaded.
“Nobody gets to be that rich without cutting some corners along the way.”
“Come on. You don’t care about how rich he is or how he got there. You just care about the fact that you’re finally waking up to how you feel about EJ.”
“And what if I have?” he nearly snarled.
Maybe he did actually snarl, because Ben backed away, hands up. “Dude, I’m on your side here.”
